Nanomaterials and Health group

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) image of the core/shell of a superparamagnetic nanoparticle

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) image of fibronectin grafted onto a membrane

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image of a stem cell that had developed on a surface activated by polyelectrolyte multilayers

Last publications

Artificial intelligence in revolutionizing orthodontic practice
Paul Fawaz, Patrick El Sayegh, Bart Vande Vannet
World Journal of Methodology, 2025, 15 (3), ⟨10.5662/wjm.v15.i3.100598⟩
Micropatterning of Glass Substrates Using Electron‐Beam Lithography for Morphological Analysis of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Daniele Pedroni, Caroline Gaucher, Demba Ba, Laurent Badie, Isabelle Raeth-Fries, Halima Alem
Advanced Engineering Materials, 2025, ⟨10.1002/adem.202500862⟩
Porous nitrogen-doped TiO₂/graphene oxide derived from H₂N-MIL-125(Ti)/graphene oxide composites as highly efficient visible light active photocatalysts for the degradation of dyes and carbamazepine
Askar Bakhadur, Halima Alem, Vincent Carré, Thomas Gries, Lavinia Balan, Jean-Louis Cantin, Ghouti Medjahdi, Zhandos Orazov, Bolat Uralbekov, Raphaël Schneider
Applied Surface Science, 2025, 714, pp.164466. ⟨10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164466⟩

Presentation

The state of knowledge of the effects of micro/nanometric particles in air pollution and those developed for cancer therapy has led to fears about the effects of man-made nanoparticles on health.

However, few reliable data, i.e. reproduced by different research groups, are currently available in this field.

The group's project aims for a systemic and transversal approach, synonymous with multidisciplinarity.

Its approach is stimulated by the ability to synthesize innovative nanomaterials designed to interact with living organisms.

Furthermore, the members have know-how in the control of risks for humans and their environment.

The group applies the following 3 study paradigms in its work:

Safe by Process for the development and implementation of nano-objects and nanomaterials
Safe by Design that covers all aspects of the life cycle of the nano-product including recycling and end-of-cycle disposal
Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship to predict the toxicity of any type of newly synthesised nanomaterial

Keywords

Nano-medicine

Theranostics

Bio-compatibility

Tailor-made materials

Nanomaterials

Cancer therapy

Research topics

Development of nanoparticles for cancer therapy and testing their effectiveness ex-vivo

Different applications are targeted in the fields of cancer therapy or biofilm growth:

Superparamagnetic core/shell nanoparticles for the combination of hyperthermia and drug release (Grand-Est Region, IUF Project)
Organs on a chip enabling the growth and differentiation of cancer cells (IUF project)
Anti-bacterial surfaces or, on the contrary, surfaces that promote the development of bacterial bio-films

Projects:

ICEEL BioNanoSurf (2015-2019)
LUE Mirabelle+ CREOL (2019-2021)
IUF (2019-2024)

Theses:

Enaam Jamal Al Dine (2013-2017)
Zied Ferjaoui (2016-2020)
Elena Yunda (2016-2019)
Dounia Louaguef (2019-…)

Articles:

Doxorubicin Loaded Thermo-responsive Superparamagnetic Nanocarriers for Controlled Drug Delivery and Magnetic Hyperthermia Applications, Ferjaoui Z, et al., , ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2019, 11, 30610-30620.
Chemical Functionalization of the Zinc Selenide Surface and Its Impact on Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Biofilms, Yunda E, et al. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2020, 12, 13, 14933-14945

Assessment of the hazards of nanomaterials through in-vitro and in-silicio studies, using biological, biochemical and toxicological expertise

Measurement of the internalization, biodegradation or biopersistence of nanomaterials in cells
Determination of their molecular target by the analysis of major macromolecules: mRNA, DNA and proteins
Study of their interaction with different cells which play a barrier role: skin, intestinal, pulmonary cells, and macrophages
In detailed determination of cell fate (growth, differentiation, apoptosis, autophagy) and the mechanism of action of these nanomaterials on living organisms using the tools of mechanistic toxicology

Project:

EU H2020 SmartSmartNanoTox (2016-2020)

Theses:

Sara Nahle (2016-2019)
Zahra Doumandji (2016-2019)

Articles:

Genes expression profiling of alveolar macrophages exposed to non-functionalized, anionic and cationic multi-walled carbon nanotubes shows three different mechanisms of toxicit, Nahle S, et al. J Nanobiotechnology. 2020, 18(1), 36.
Protein and lipid homeostasis altered in rat macrophages after exposure to metallic oxide nanoparticles, Doumandji Z, et al. Cell Biol Toxicol. 2020, 36(1), 65-82.

Know-how

Chemical synthesis on suitable surfaces
Polymerisation initiated from the surface of thermo-responsive polymers or co-polymers for the purpose of grafting
Deposition of multilayers of synthetic or biomass-derived polyelectrolytes
Self-assembly of monolayers by silane and thiol chemistry

Evaluation of the consequences of the interactions of nanomaterials with living organisms.
These are modelled in monolayer cell culture, or co-culture exposed in a liquid vein or by aerosols

Measurement of the biopersistence of nanomaterials

Measurement of all types of effects on the intermediate (mRNA) and final (proteins) phenotype of exposed cells including: